Stitching head apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wire stitching head is disclosed for successively producing a series of uniformly shaped and sized stitches from a continuous length of wire, and includes a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a pre-selectively shaped stitch from a pre-selected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said pre-selected length of wire to such stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means, with said wire guiding means comprising a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which the cover plate covers the channelway of said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed.

United States Patent [191 Verwey et a1.

[ Nov. 19, 1974 STITCHING HEAD APPARATUS [75] Inventors: William G. A. Verwey, Phoenix;

Stephen L. Stanton, Baltimore, both of Md.

[73] Assignee: Precision Industries, Inc., Baltimore,

[22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 334,740

Primary ExaminerGranville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmLerner, David, Littenberg & Samuel [5 7] ABSTRACT A wire stitching head is disclosed for successively producing a series of uniformly shaped and sized stitches from a continuous length of wire, and includes a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a pre-selectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said pre-selected length of wire to such stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means, with said wire guiding means comprising a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which the cover plate covers the channelway of said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIE :aav 1 91974 SHEEI 20F 5 PATENIL 51331191974 '790 SHEET 30F 5 PATENTEL NOV 1 9 I974 SHEET 5 OF 5 NRNV STITCHING HEAD APPARATUS In a preferred embodiment, the wire feeding means includes a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; and further including second wire guiding means mounted on said frame, for guiding said wire toward the entrance location of said path of travel; said second wire guiding means comprising an elongated wire guide block having a wire guide channel formed in the undersurface thereof, said wire guide block having a first arcuate portion which conforms to the periphery of said guide roller, a corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel conforming to, and in close proximity, to said guide roller, one end of said corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel being in close proximity to said entrance location.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS This application has subject matter in common with the US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, in the name of Laurie C. Barland entitled Stitching Head Apparatus, assigned to the assignee of the instant application. This application also has subject matter in common with US. Pat. No. 3,642,187 issued Feb. 15, 1972 to Laurie C. Barland, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to wire stitching heads, more particularly wire stitching head capable of successively producing a series of uniformly shaped and sized stitches from a continuous length of wire, and more particularly to such a wire stitching head having significant improvements which make possible wire stiching at extremely high rates of speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, in the name of Laurie C. Barland, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, there is disclosed a wire stitching head of the type to which the instant invention is directed. Thus, the stitching head of the aforementioned Barland patent includes, as the heart of its mechanism, a motor driven cam wheel which performs a number of functions which may be briefly summarized as follows:

First, the cam wheel carries along its periphery an arcuate feeding cam which, together with a cooperating guide roller, functions to intermittently feed preselected lengths of wire into the stitch forming position upon each revolution of the cam wheel.

Secondly, the cam wheel pivotally carries on a forward surface thereof, a pair of links one of which is pivotally connected to a reciprocating stitch forming bar, and the other of which is pivotally connected to a stitch driving bar which functions to drive a stitch into the work piece, after the stitch has been formed by the aforementioned stitch forming bar. The stitch forming bar and stitch driven bar are guided in their reciprocating paths of travel by a guide member having a channelway into which each preselected length of wire is successively fed prior to being formed and driven into the work piece positioned therebeneath. This basic machine, although enjoying widespread popularity in the industry, has been found to encounter certain difficulties when the speed of operation thereof is substantially increased.

For example, at extremely high rates of stitching speed, for example, 1,000 to 1,500 stitches per minute,

such problems as controlling the feeding of the wire and preventing back-lash during the interval between feeds, becomes especially acute creating unacceptable deviations in form, shape, and placement of the stitches produced by the stitching head apparatus.

Also, in the stitching head disclosed in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, the deactivization of the stitching operation is controlled by a pair of sensing contacts, (such as a magnetic reed switch) positioned in the path of travel of the reciprocating stitch former bar. At higher speeds, however, one can no longer depend on the reliable creation of an interruption of the magnetic field through the insertion of the soft steel vane which constitutes the reciprocating stitch forming bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to a wire stitching head of the general arrangement discussed above, but is provided with significant improvements which have simply, inexpensively and effectively eliminated the aforementioned problems associated with operating the wire stitching head at increased rates of speed.

Specifically, and as will be described in greater detail, applicant has provided improved wire guiding means for guiding the supply wire to the entrance location of the path of travel which is established between the aforementioned cam wheel and the guide roller placed in close proximity thereto. Additionally, and as will be described in greater detail, applicant has also provided improved wire guiding means for guiding the wire from the exit location of the aforementioned path of travel to the stitch forming position. As will be seen, the wire guiding means of the instant invention provides for much closer, tighter control of the wire and, therefore, provides a much more accurate stitch, while, at the same time, prevents undesirable backslip during the interval between feeds.

In accordance with another feature of the instant invention, the aforementioned sensing contacts (magnetic reed switch) of the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, have been eliminated in favor of providing a set of operating contacts directly responsive to the rotation of the driving means for the aforementioned cam wheel. Such contacts provide for the accurate and reliable transmission of signals at the higher speeds being encountered. Alternatively, a magnetic sensor device responsive to rotation of said driving means may be employed for generating signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stitching head of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the stitching head of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the stitching head of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a portion of the stitching head of the instant invention illustrating the solenoid operated clutch arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the rear of the stitching head of the instant invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the rear portion of the stitching head of the present inventlon.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the improved wire guiding means of the instant invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the stitching head of the present invention as employed in an overall stitching machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Turning to the Figures wherein like numerals are employed to designate the elements, it will be observed from FIGS. 1 through 3, that the wire stitching head of the present invention is in the form of a compact, motor-driven organization which is adapted to be suitably mounted at the upper end of a main support frame (not shown) which is provided with a horizontally disposed work supporting surface 12 fitted with a clenching member 14, for clenching the wire stitches as the same are successively formed in the stitching head and driven thereby through the work W to be stitched.

As mentioned previously, the instant invention represents improvements to the stitching head of the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, and as such, includes: top and bottom channel guide members 28, 30 secured on the front surface 18 of a frame 16 for guiding a reciprocating stitch forming bar 32 which has a bifurcated lower end 34, and driving bar 36 mounted for reciprocal motion within guide ways 38 provided on the confronting inner surface 39 of the bifurcated lower end 34 of the stitch forming bar 32; a multifunction cam wheel 40 rigidly secured to one end 42 of a driven shaft 44 suitably joumalled by ball bearings 46 and 48 in the front and rear surfaces 18 and of the frame 16; and a pivoting anvil 56, the nose portion 58 of which is utilized in the stitch forming operation in a manner more fully set forth in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,325, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by specific reference thereto. Ball bearings 45 and 47 rotatably support a drive shaft 49 on the forward end of which is secured a guide roller 64 and on the rear end of which is positioned a pulley S5. A fly wheel 61 is positioned at the extreme rearward end of the drive shaft 49.

A belt 57 is provided to join the output shaft of an electric motor (not shown) with the pulley 55, by which the drive shaft may be rotated. A gear 59 is fixed on the drive shaft 49, and by a clutch mechanism 54 selectively operable in a manner to be further described, the driven shaft 44 may be rotated in response to rotation of the drive shaft 49.

In order to understand the manner in which the improvements of the instant invention function in a wire stitching mechanism of the type set forth in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, it is perhaps worthwhile to begin a description of the instant invention by providing a short description of the overall operation of a stitching head of the type described in said Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825.

Initially, it should be pointed out that the cam wheel 40 carries an arcuate feeding cam 60 which projects slightly into the path of travel 62 of a length of wire which passes between the periphery of the cam wheel 40 and the guide roller 64, the specific construction of which may be of the type set out in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,642,187. Thus, for each revolution of the cam wheel 40, effected when the clutch 54 interconnects the continuously rotating driving shafts 49 to the driven shaft 44, a preselected length of wire, corresponding to the arcuate length of the feeding cam 60 will be advanced from a supply reel (not shown) through guide means 68 (forming a portion of the instant invention and to be described in greater detail), through the entrance 69 of the path of travel 62, through the exit 71 of the path of travel 62, through the wire guide means forming a portion of the instant invention and to be described in greater detail, through a passageway 72 provided in the lower guide member 30, and into channelway 74, provided in the lower guide member 30.

It will be appreciated that the clearance between the guide roller 64 and the periphery of the cam wheel 40 is such that the wire 66 fits freely therebetween under normal circumstances. It is only when the projecting feed cam 60 enters the path of travel 62 that the wire is sandwiched and thereby advanced. Of course, during intervals of non-feed, when the wire 66 is free with respect to the feeding mechanism, the wire check 71 formed in wire guide means 68, and to be described in greater detail, prevents the wire from being pulled back toward its supply roll, not shown. Also, it will be appreciated that the arcuate or peripheral length of the feeding cam 60 ,is preselectively chosen to correspond to the over-all length of the ultimately desired stitch.

Provided on the rearward side of the cam wheel 40 is a second cam surface 76, which, as best seen in FIG. 3, cooperates with a following rod 78 for maintaining the pivotally mounted anvil S6 in the wire supporting position illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that when the cam 76 rotates free of the following rod 78, a spring biased plunger 80 will rotate the anvil 56 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 and out of the path of travel of the driver bar 36, as will be described below. It should be pointed out, that the placement of the cams 60 and 76 relative to one another, and the arcuate length of the cam 76, are chosen such that the anvil 56'and its wire supporting nose 58, will be in the proper wire supporting position illustrated in FIG. 3, as the wire 66 is being advanced in the channelway 74, in the manner previously described.

Finally, the front surface 82 of the cam wheel 40 carries an outstanding pin 84, to which is pivotally connected one end of a pair of links 86, 88 respectively. The opposite end of link 86 is pivotally connected to the pin outstanding from the forming bar 32, and the opposite end of the link 88 is pivotally connected to pin 92 provided in the driver bar 36. It will be noted that the pin 90 joining the link 86 to the former bar 32 is mounted off center and to the right (as viewed in FIG. 2) with respect to the location of the pin 92 which joins the link 88 the the driving bar 36. This mounting is intentionally chosen, such that the length of the reciprocating stroke of the driver bar 36 is greater then the length of the reciprocating stroke of the bifurcated fonning bar 32 which function together in the following manner.

Assuming that the feeding cam 60 has positioned the next length of wire in the channelway 74 (appropriately supported by the anvil 56 by virtue of the cam surface 76 and the follower rod 78), continued rotation of the cam wheel 40 causes the links 86 and 88 to begin the downward strokes of the former bar 32 and the driver bar 36 respectively. Because the lower end of the former bar 32 is initially lower than the bottom edge 94 of the driver bar 36, the wedge like surfaces 96 of the bifurcated end 38 of the former bar 32 quickly engage the opposite ends of the wire length positioned in the channel 74 and bend them downward around the anvil nose 58 to form the desired U-shaped stitch. Immediately thereafter, the lower end 94 of the driving bar 36 reaches the bight portion of the U-shaped stitch and continues to drive the stitch (within the confines of the confronting faces 39 of the bifurcated forming bar) through the work piece W and into engagement with the clenching member 14. It should be pointed out that the wire is initially cut from the continuous supply running through the passageway 72 by the side edge 100 of the bifurcated forming bar 32. Additionally, it should be pointed out that the positioning and length of the second cam 76 provided on the cam wheel 40 is such that just as the driving bar 36 engages the bight portion of the U-shaped stitch, the cam 76 leaves the following rod 78 and the spring biased plunger 80 quickly rotates the anvil 56 out of the path of travel of the driving bar 36.

Thus, the stitch is fed, formed, driven, and clenched in one quick continuous operation, all motions of which are generated by the single multi-function cam wheel 40. During the second half cycle of cam wheel rotation, the motions are reversed with the driving bar 36 being lifted before the forming bar 32.

The actual initiation of a stitching cycle begins when an appropriate sensor (such as the photoelectric sensor 97 in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825 functions to sense the leading edge of the work piece W as it advances past the stitching head 10. When the sensor detects the presence of the leading edge of the work piece, it energizes a conventional timer (such as 99 in the aforementioned Barland application) which is set to time out upon the expiration of a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the length of the front flaps of the carton to be constructed from the box blank W being stitched by the machine. When the timer is timed out, the circuit is completed to energize clutch coil 148. Once clutch coil 148 is energized, then in a manner described in further detail in the aforementioned Barland U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,187, the clutch 54 is activated to interconnect the driven shaft 44 with the drive shaft 49. Of course, it is to be understood that any suitable clutch or clutch brake combination may be used in the instant invention and not merely the clutch illustrated in detail in the aforementioned Barland patent.

With reference to FIG. 7 hereof, photoelectric sensor 250 functions to sense the leading edge of the box blank or work piece W as it advances through the stitching machine. When the photocell detects the presence of the leading edge of the blank, it energizes the timer 252 which is set to time out upon the expiration of a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the length of the front flaps of the carton to be constructed from the box blank being stitched by the machine. When the timer 252 is timed out, it generates a signal applied to the gate 254 of a semiconductor controlled rectifier 256 which is thereby turned on to complete a circuit comprising voltage source 258, clutch coil 148 (see also FIG. 3) and SCR 256, and to ground. Once clutch coil 148 is energized, the clutch 54 engages and the stitching head begins to apply stitches. As noted, this is more fully disclosed in the aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825.

As mentioned previously, to control the deactivation of the stitching head of aforementioned Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825, sensing contacts in the form of a magnetic reeding switch were positioned in the path of travel of the reciprocating stitch former bar. A counter (107 in the Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825), responsive to the pulses produced by the contacts is utilized to present the number of stitches desired. When the preset number of stitches have been sensed by the contact and accumulated by the counter, a signal was generated and utilized to deenergize the clutch coil which in turn disengaged the clutch causing the stitching head to cease stitch forming and driving operations.

In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, the aforementioned sensing contact positioned in the path of travel of stitch forming bar has been totally eliminated. To control the deactivation of the stitching operation, a contact switch 200 is provided on the rear surface 20 of frame 16 (see FIG. 5). The contact switch 200 is much like a set of automotive points and includes a movable bell crank type contact 202 pivoted about a fixed axle point 204. A spring 206 continually biases one end 208 of the movable contact arm 202 into engagement with the outer surface of the rear end 470 of the driven shaft 44. The end 47 of the driven shaft 44 includes a chordal flat section 210. Thus, each time driven shaft 44 makes a complete revolution, the end 208 of the movable contact 202, when it engages the flat 210 will rotate counter-clockwise about the fixed axle 204 to open the circuit between a terminal 212 and the movable contact arm 202. In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, it is the opening and closing of the contact switch 200, once for each revolution of the driven shaft 44, which is utilized to sense the number of revolutions and together with an appropriate counter, controls the deactivation of the stitching operation. It will be appreciated that thearrangement of the switching contact 200 is a precise accurate way of generating the necessary signals, especially when operating at extremely high rates of stitching speeds.

With reference to FIG. 7, a counter 260 is responsive to the pulses produced by the contact switch 200, with such counter being utilized to preselect the number of stitches desired. When the preset number of stitches have been sensed by the contact switch 200 and accumulated by the counter 260, a signal is applied to the base 262 of the transistor 264 which turns on to thereby momentarily make a low impedance bypass circuit around the SCR 256 which is thereby extinguished. Thus, coil 148 is deenergized, the clutch 54 is braked, and the stitching head ceases operation. As noted, this is more fully described in the Barland US. Pat. No. 3,747,825.

A second contact switch arrangement 214 operating in the same manner as the previously described contact arrangement 200, is utilized (in conjunction with contact terminal 214a, the circuitry for which is not shown for the sake of drawing clarity) to synchronize the operation of the stiching head 10 with the electronic control of a clutch brake arrangement utilized to control the pull rollers in an overall stitching machine, in the manner described and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,664,564 issued May 23, 1972 to Stephen Stanton and Edward Varholy and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. Thus, the signal generated by contact switch 214 is applied to the control circuitry 266 (described in detail in the aforementioned'US. Pat. No. 3,664,564) and the output 268 thereof intermittently actuates the clutch brake combination 270 (also disclosed in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,564) to intermittently cause the motor 272 to stop and start the pull rollers 274 which, thereby, intermittently advances the box blank past the stitching headv An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. A in which an aluminum disc 215 is mounted for rotation on the rear of a totally circular driven shaft 44'. Secured to the disc 215 is a steel slug 217 which cooperates with a magnetic sensor 219 (which may be a conventional magnetic reed switch) to generate an electrical signal for each revolution of the shaft 44'. It will be appreciated that the electrical signals produced by the magnetic sensor 219 may be employed to generate the necessary signals for controlling the deactivation of the stitching operation after a predetermined number of stitches have been driven as well as for generating the necessary signals to synchronize the stitching head with the electronic control of a clutch break arrangement utilized to control pull rollers in an overall stitching machine of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,664,564.

In accordance with a further improvement of the instant invention, the lower wire guiding means 70, includes a base 220 having an arcuate channelway 222 therein and a cover plate 224 movably positioned on the base 220 and movable between a first position in which the cover plate 224 covers the channelway 222 in the base and a second position in which the channelway 222 in the base 220 is exposed. As best seen in FIG. 1, the cover plate 224 is pivoted at 226 and may pivot between a first and second position in the direction of travel of the doubleheaded arrow 228 by loosening the flat thumbscrew 230. It will be appreciated that when'the cover plate 224 is rotated counter-clockwise in FIG. 1, to reveal the arcuate channelway 222 therebeneath, it is a relatively simple matter to thread" the wire .66 therethrough, and similarly, it is simple task in removing the tail end of the wire supply which ends up in the lower wire feed guide mechanism when the sup- 'ply reel runs out.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the base 220 of the lower wire feeding means 70, actually comprises a first member 232 having a depression 234 of pre-determined arcuate configuration formed therein. The base 220 further includes a second member 236, having an arcuate peripheral shape 238 similar to the arcuate shape of the depression 234. As best seen in FIG. 2, the second member 236 is removably secured to the first member 232 in the depression 234 with the arcuate periphery thereof slightly spaced from the arcuate outline of the depression 234 so as to define the aforementioned channelway 222 therebetween. It will be appreciated that one end 240 of the channelway 222 is positioned adjacent the entrance to the passageway 72 leading through the lower guide member 30 to the channelway 74 while the opposite end 242 of the channelway 222 is positioned adjacent the exit location 71 of the path of travel 62 established between the cam wheel 40 and the guide roller 64.

The upper wire guiding means 68 of the instant invention comprises an elongated wire guide block 244 having a wire guide channel 246 formed in the undersurface 248 thereof. The wire guide block 244 further includes a first arcuate tail-like portion 250 which conforms to the periphery of the guide roller 64. (See FIGS. 1 and 2). Thus, a corresponding arcuate portion of the wire guide channel 246 conforms to and is in close proximity to the guide roller 64 with one end 252 of the corresponding arcuate portion of the wire guide channel 246 being in close proximity to the entrance location 69 of the path of travel 62 established between the cam wheel 40 and the guide roller 64. The wire guide block 244 has a second generally rectangular portion 254 integrally formed with the tail-like portion 250. A cover 256 is removably secured to the undersurface 248 whereby a corresponding length of the wire guide channel 246 is enclosed by the cover 256.

The retangular-like portion 254 of the guide block 244 further includes a recess 258 in which is positioned the aforementioned one-way wire check 71. Wire check 71 is biased by spring 260 such'that its lower edge 262 constantly engages the wire 66 passing through the wire guide channel 246 to prevent its reverse slippage during intervals of non-feed.

Thus, it will be appreciated that from the time the wire 66 enters the upper wire guide means 68 until the time that the wire exits into the channelway 74 formed in the lower guide member 30, the wire 66 is tightly and accurately controlled in a manner which has never been possible prior to the instant invention. Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wire stitching head comprising;

a frame;

stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto;

stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head;

wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and

first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means, said first wire guiding means comprising;

a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and

a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and

further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said first wire guiding means being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and

wherein said wire feeding means includes: a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and

wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatably in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft; and

wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including first and second contact switches mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, each of said first and second contact switches including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to engagement with said chordal flat;

further including counter means responsive to first signals from said first contact switch; and first control means responsive to said first signals for controlling deactivation of said clutch means; and

further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past saidstitching head; clutch-brake means for intermittently controlling said pull roll means; and second control means responsive to second sig nals from said second contact switch for controlling the operation of said clutch brake means.

2. A wire stitching head comprising:

a frame;

stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto;

stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head;

wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and

first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said first wire guiding means comprising;

a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and

a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and

further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said wire guidingmeans being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and

wherein said wire feeding means includes; a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and

further including second wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward the entrance location of said path of travel; said second wire guiding means comprising an elongated wire guide block having a wire guide channel formed in the under surface thereof, said wire guide block having a first arcuate portion which conforms to the periphery of said guide roller, a corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel conforming to and in close proximity to said guide roller, one end of said corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel being in close proximity to said entrance location.

3. The wire stitching head of claim 2 wherein said wire guide block has a second portion integrally formed with said first arcuate portion, and further including cover means removably secured to the undersurface of said second portions whereby a corresponding length of said wire guide channel is enclosed by said cover means.

4. The wire stitching head of claim 3 and further including one way wire check means positioned in a recess of said wire guide block, said recess being in communication with said wire guide channel, said one way wire check means engaging the wire passing through said wire guide channel and preventing reverse motion thereof.

5. The wire stitching head of claim 2 wherein a second end of said driven shaft carries a non-magnetic support member on which is carried a member of magnetizable material; and further including a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent said support member for producing a signal in response to each rotation of said driven shaft.

6. A wire stitching head comprising a frame;

stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto;

stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head;

wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; said wire feeding means including; a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; and

wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said wire guiding means comprising;

an elongated wire guide block having a wire guide channel formed in the under surface thereof, said wire guide block having a first arcuate portion which conforms to the periphery of said guide roller, a corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel conforming to and in close proximity to said guide roller, one end of said corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel being in close proximity to said entrance location.

7. The wire stitching head of claim 6 wherein said wire glide block has a second portion integrally formed with said first arcuate portion, and further including cover means removably secured to said undersurface whereby a corresponding length of said wire guide channel is enclosed by said cover means.

8. The wire stitching head of claim 7 and further including one way wire check means positioned in a recess of said wire guide block, said recess being in communication with said wire guide channel whereby said one way wire check means engages the wire passing through said wire guide channel.

9. The wire stitching head of claim 6 wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatably in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft.

10. The wire stitching head of claim 9 wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including first and second contact switches mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, each of said first and second contact switches including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to the engagement with said chordal flat; further including counter means responsive to first signals from said first contact switch; and first control means responsive to said first signals for controlling deactivation of said clutch means; and further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past said stitching head; clutch-brake means for intermittently controlling said pull roll means; and second control means responsive to second signals from said second contact switch for controlling the operation of said clutch-brake means. 1

11. A wire stitching head comprising: a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said first wire guiding means comprising: a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned in said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said first wire guiding means being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and wherein said wire feeding means includes: a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mountedon said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft; and wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including a contact switch mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, said contact switch including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to engagement with said chordal flat; and

' further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past said stitching head; clutch-brake means operation of said clutch-brake means. 

1. A wire stitching head comprising; a frame; sTitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means, said first wire guiding means comprising; a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said first wire guiding means being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and wherein said wire feeding means includes: a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatably in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft; and wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including first and second contact switches mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, each of said first and second contact switches including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to engagement with said chordal flat; further including counter means responsive to first signals from said first contact switch; and first control means responsive to said first signals for controlling deactivation of said clutch means; and further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past said stitching head; clutch-brake means for intermittently controlling said pull roll means; and second control means responsive to second signals from said second contact switch for controlling the operation of said clutch brake means.
 2. A wire stitching head comprising: a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to saiD stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said first wire guiding means comprising; a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned on said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said wire guidingmeans being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and wherein said wire feeding means includes; a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wire therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and further including second wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward the entrance location of said path of travel; said second wire guiding means comprising an elongated wire guide block having a wire guide channel formed in the under surface thereof, said wire guide block having a first arcuate portion which conforms to the periphery of said guide roller, a corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel conforming to and in close proximity to said guide roller, one end of said corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel being in close proximity to said entrance location.
 3. The wire stitching head of claim 2 wherein said wire guide block has a second portion integrally formed with said first arcuate portion, and further including cover means removably secured to the undersurface of said second portions whereby a corresponding length of said wire guide channel is enclosed by said cover means.
 4. The wire stitching head of claim 3 and further including one way wire check means positioned in a recess of said wire guide block, said recess being in communication with said wire guide channel, said one way wire check means engaging the wire passing through said wire guide channel and preventing reverse motion thereof.
 5. The wire stitching head of claim 2 wherein a second end of said driven shaft carries a non-magnetic support member on which is carried a member of magnetizable material; and further including a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent said support member for producing a signal in response to each rotation of said driven shaft.
 6. A wire stitching head comprising a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; said wire feeding means including; a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel for said supply of wirE therebetween, said path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; and wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said wire guiding means comprising; an elongated wire guide block having a wire guide channel formed in the under surface thereof, said wire guide block having a first arcuate portion which conforms to the periphery of said guide roller, a corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel conforming to and in close proximity to said guide roller, one end of said corresponding arcuate portion of said wire guide channel being in close proximity to said entrance location.
 7. The wire stitching head of claim 6 wherein said wire guide block has a second portion integrally formed with said first arcuate portion, and further including cover means removably secured to said undersurface whereby a corresponding length of said wire guide channel is enclosed by said cover means.
 8. The wire stitching head of claim 7 and further including one way wire check means positioned in a recess of said wire guide block, said recess being in communication with said wire guide channel whereby said one way wire check means engages the wire passing through said wire guide channel.
 9. The wire stitching head of claim 6 wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatably in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft.
 10. The wire stitching head of claim 9 wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including first and second contact switches mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, each of said first and second contact switches including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to the engagement with said chordal flat; further including counter means responsive to first signals from said first contact switch; and first control means responsive to said first signals for controlling deactivation of said clutch means; and further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past said stitching head; clutch-brake means for intermittently controlling said pull roll means; and second control means responsive to second signals from said second contact switch for controlling the operation of said clutch-brake means.
 11. A wire stitching head comprising: a frame; stitch forming means mounted on said frame for forming a preselectively shaped stitch from a preselected length of wire which has been supplied thereto; stitch driving means movably mounted with respect to said stitch forming means for driving the stitch formed by said stitch forming means into a work piece positioned in predetermined relationship with respect to said stitching head; wire feeding means for intermittently supplying said preselected length of wire to said stitch forming means from a supply of wire; and first wire guiding means mounted on said frame for guiding said wire toward said stitch forming means; said first wire guiding means comprising: a base having an arcuate channelway therein, and a cover plate movably positioned in said base and movable between a first position in which said cover plate covers said channelway in said base and a second position in which said channelway in said base member is exposed; and further including a guide member secured to said frame for guiding the movement of said stitch forming means, said guide member including a guide channel of predetermined width and a passageway through which said wire passes to reach said guide channel; said first wire guiding means being secured to said frame with one end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the entrance to said passageway; and wherein said wire feeding means includes: a cam wheel mounted on said frame, driving means selectively rotating said cam wheel, a guide roller mounted on said frame, driving means for rotating said guide roller, said guide roller mounted on said frame in proximity to said cam wheel to define a path of travel having an entrance location for the reception of said wire and an exit location for the exit of said wire; the other end of said arcuate channelway located adjacent the exit location of said path of travel to receive the wire exiting therefrom; and wherein said driving means for rotating said guide roller includes a drive shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said drive shaft having said guide roller secured thereto at one end thereof, and motive means for rotating said drive shaft; and said driving means for selectively rotating said cam wheel includes a driven shaft freely rotatable in said frame, said driven shaft having said cam wheel secured thereto at one end thereof, and clutch means selectively operative to interconnect said drive shaft and said driven shaft; and wherein a second end of said driven shaft includes a chordal flat thereon and further including a contact switch mounted on said frame in proximity to said second end of said driven shaft, said contact switch including a movable contact which engages the periphery of said second end of said driven shaft and is movable between first and second positions in response to engagement with said chordal flat; and further including pull roll means for advancing a blank past said stitching head; clutch-brake means for intermittently controlling said pull roll means; and clutch-brake control means responsive to signals from said contact switch for controlling the operation of said clutch-brake means. 